Baywest

(Port Elizabeth) – With the sport of trail running gaining traction in Nelson Mandela Bay, a new participation series has been launched to encourage social runners and walkers to experience this popular off-road discipline.

The inaugural Baywest Mall Trail Series, which was launched on October 1 and rolls out again this Sunday (October 15), is a bi-weekly series of four races, offering both 6km and 11km distance options and over R14 000 worth of lucky draw prizes.

Baywest Mall marketing manager Lindsay Steele said the series was intended to encourage group activity on the trails and to help residents get fit and active as the summer months approached.

“After opening our trails with the Ride for the Youth mountain bike race in June, we have been building our multi-sport calendar and looking at ways to add value to the community through these events,” said Steele.

“Although there are just four races in the current series, we are looking at hosting another series in the new year.”

She said a percentage of the proceeds from the Baywest Mall Trail Series would be donated, via charitable partner The Charity Space, to The Herald Christmas Cheer Fund.

“The fund collects contributions, which are distributed to various non-profit organisations that care for children, the elderly, the poor, the sick and disabled in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds. In what would otherwise be a bleak season, funds are distributed in time for Christmas to spread happiness.”

Instead of medals or prize money for podium finishers, all participants stand an equal chance of winning prizes such as cellphones and accessory packs courtesy of Huawei and Cellucity Baywest, hydration packs from Tavcor Jeep, as well as helicopter flips and gift vouchers sponsored by the mall.

Steele said walkers were welcome on the shorter 6km route and that people could also ride their mountain bikes, provided they followed the designated routes and kept a safe distance from the runners and walkers. A waterpoint will be available on both routes.

The remaining races will take place on October 15, October 29 and November 12 and cost R30 per person.

Registration opens at 7.30am on the morning of the race at Entrance 4, opposite the start of the trail.

Trail series up and running at Baywest: Trail series up and running at Baywest: (Port Elizabeth) – With the sport of trail running gaining traction in Nelson Mandela Bay, a new participation series has been launched to encourage social runners and walkers to experience this popular off-road discipline. The inaugural Baywest Mall Trail Series, which was launched on October 1 and rolls […] – Business – MyPE News

(Port Elizabeth) – Taking time out to have coffee with a friend at Baywest Mall could change the life of a complete stranger on Mandela Day (Tuesday, July 18).

The mall and its participating restaurants and coffee shops have partnered with the non-profit Leva Foundation to help fund the Red Band Barista Academy, which equips unemployed candidates with the training and skills to serve in the professional coffee industry.

Baywest Mall’s assistant marketing manager Lindsay Steele said the six participating tenants – Melissa’s, vida e caffè, Wimpy, John Dory’s, Panarottis and Biloxi Spur – would donate the cost of a cup of coffee for every two coffees sold.

“The concept is so simple yet powerful. Just by sharing a cup of coffee, you have the power to contribute to job creation in our community,” said Steele.

She said the barista academy assisted the unemployed by teaching them how to pour restaurant-grade latté art and develop the professionalism and people-orientation required in the service industry.

Leva Foundation managing director Ryan le Roux said the academy had trained 78 baristas to date, with 90% of them going on to find gainful employment – some at Baywest Mall coffee shops. The next intake of 10 trainees will begin at the end of July.

“One of the key things about Red Band is that we don’t go into the workplace and upskill baristas who already have jobs. We only train unemployed people who have never had a job.”

Le Roux said applications were invited from promising candidates who had completed the foundation’s two-week Work for a Living course, where they learned how to become valuable to future employers.

One of the successful graduates is Amanda Mangaliso, 31, of Zwide in Port Elizabeth. She completed the month-long barista training last year before landing her first job at Wimpy – on her graduation day. In July last year, she joined the vida e caffè team at Baywest Mall and has since been promoted to assistant manager.

“I already had hospitality training, so I was interested but wasn’t sure at first. Then as we did the training, I got more and more interested. Now I love what I’m doing.”

Mangaliso said being a barista had opened doors for her and she dreams of opening her own shop one day, where she can express her passion for coffee.

Le Roux said the Mandela Day initiative helped to promote the work of the academy to potential candidates like Mangaliso and was also valuable from a fundraising point of view.

“For a mall like Baywest and their participating retailers to get behind us is really good.”

He said the aim of the initiative was to encourage ordinary people to join the conversation about changing the world for the better.

“Spend your 67 minutes having a conversation over coffee that’s real and meaningful, that isn’t about other people or the weather. And while you’re doing that, the profits are going towards teaching someone a skill they could use to get a job.”

Baywest launches Youth Day ride: Baywest launches Youth Day ride: RIDE FOR THE YOUTH: The new Baywest MTB Trails will be launched officially with a family fun ride on National Youth Day. Photo: Supplied (Port Elizabeth) – Parents looking for ways to get their kids off the couch this National Youth Day (June 16) need look no further than the […] – Business – MyPE News

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RIDE FOR THE YOUTH: The new Baywest MTB Trails will be launched officially with a family fun ride on National Youth Day. Photo: Supplied

(Port Elizabeth) – Parents looking for ways to get their kids off the couch this National Youth Day (June 16) need look no further than the inaugural “Ride for the Youth” at Baywest Mall.

This family-oriented mountain bike ride marks the official launch of the new Baywest Mall MTB Trails and is presented in conjunction with Fat Tracks Mountain Bike Club, Old Mutual and Nutritech.

Baywest Mall marketing manager Christopher Hutchings said the intention behind the event was to create a healthy and active way for families to spend quality time together.

“As Nelson Mandela Bay’s premier shopping and entertainment destination, Baywest already has a great family-friendly offering. By taking it outdoors, we are simply expanding the variety of activities for moms, dads and kids to share.”

Hutchings said the Baywest MTB Trails were designed to be scenic, accessible and enjoyable for social riders of all skill levels and technical abilities.

“Of course, those family members who aren’t keen to break a sweat can still enjoy a coffee, watch a movie or do some shopping while waiting for the rest to finish.”

The family-friendly line-up includes a 1km kids’ dash, 6km and 12km social rides, and an 18km feature race. The trails start near the fountain outside the Fun Factory entertainment wing entrance (Entrance 4).

Registration will take place outside the ice rink between 4pm and 6pm on Thursday, June 15, and from 7.30am to 8.30am on race day. The event draws to a close with the official prize-giving and lucky draws at noon.

Entry costs R20 for the kids’ dash (8.30am), R60 for the social rides (9am) and R85 for the feature race (10am).

For more information, visit www.fattracks.co.za or follow Baywest Mall on Facebook.